Fallen for Forge

Browsing through the newest collection from Forge (formally known as EG Forge). I can say I have officially fallen all over again for Forge!

Eric Goodwin's newest pieces are so on point with todays trends, but with a classic design that these pieces will become something you will still be carrying around in 10 years. Personally knowing Eric, the designer behind the brand, I know what kind of hard work is put into every one of his pieces. The quality and detail is always made with perfection. What I love even more is the professionalism he has always presented the brand with, from photos to videos, website, etc. Eric knows how to showcase his brand well and this will be one of the key factors for his continued success.

I have had the pleasure of hiking through the Kananaskis mountains with Eric and his brother (my apologies his name is escaping me at the moment) to shoot a video in the past. It was his hand made bags that carried all the gear we needed to hike through the canyons and find our way to just the right spot. It's an added bonus for Eric that his brother is such an amazing videographer, but together they create beautiful videos to draw you into his brand and inspire you to go beyond using his pieces for just some trendy street bag. Use it to the extreme!

A designer to watch, and collect. Classic, well made, and styles for any guy or girl. And of course, best of all... 100% Canadian Made right here in Calgary, Alberta, including the videos all filmed in our very own Albertan back yard. See his craftsmanship for yourself and visit him in his shop/retail space in the Devinish Building 908-17th Ave SW, Suite 202.

Here are a couple of bags from his latest collection:

All photos and videos by Forge (www.forgeapparel.com) 

The Power of Underwear

Nope this isn't a post about what pretty panties you should buy or what's the hottest trend in lingerie. This really isn't about #FirstWorldProblems at all. 

Did you know that underwear, while a luxury item or at least an un-thought-of item for us, is a shockingly effective rape prevention item in Africa? As well it has the potential to decrease the drop out rate of girls in school substantially by acting as an essential feminine hygiene product. 

On April 23rd MUSE Collective Agency and Celebrity Models from the cast of Bachelor Canada is hosting an event here in Calgary that will shine some light understanding this largely unmentioned topic. 

And what's an event with out showcasing a little fashion for your entertainment too...

Special Guests include:

CityTV Host and Producer: Jill Belland as MC 

Fashion Show directed by Premiere Stylist: Leah Van Loonwww.leahvanloon.com 

Artists Within Makeup Academy 
Headkandi

Chantelle H- Bachelor Canada is an ambassador for Transformation Textiles, the charity that will be benefiting from this Fashion Event. 

Tickets are available at https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/muse-charity-fashion-event-tickets-10693306969?ref=estw

Sheer and Sexy Lionette

Jessica Armstrong's Lionette collection gives you materials with a sultry but elegant flow, colourful florals, and a touch of lace. All of which keeps your lady like look, and still delivers a bit of sex appeal.

Jessica's last collection of beautiful sheer reds and blues may have inspired you to jazz things up in the bedroom. However, this season Jessica has kept her sheer touch and layered her floral and animal prints so you can take that sultry flowing look to the streets.

All photos provided by YYC Fashion Week photographers PhotoArt4U & AYuenPhotos. 

Maark Abenir's Beautiful To Vain

I have been involved in the fashion industry here in Calgary for some time. There is some serious talent, like designers Paul Hardy and Haithem Elkadiki, that have made a name for themselves and stuck through our industry’s toughest times. If you can even call it an industry before 5 years ago. And I’ve always said that this city runs on word of mouth. And when social media made it possible for that word of mouth to spread even further, our industry started to make a name for itself.

Amongst those trying to make a name for themselves is young designer Maark Abenir. He may be young in the game, but a designer who knows how to put on a show. His dark and artistic vision to his work is what grabs my attention every time. What's fashion without pushing boundaries? I seriously appreciate a designer who knows how showcase what inspires them. If you can see their vision so clearly in their designs and their presentation, that is what makes a real designer in my mind.

Maark premiered his latest collection with us here in Calgary on March 8th, 2014 at YYC Fashion Week's Fashion Preview. Which I have a few images below to share with you, but before you browse the photos or wonder about the prosthetic makeup on the models faces, be drawn into the idea behind his work and visualize from the designer's eyes...

"My vision started with a girl who only sees beauty in her surroundings. Everything that surrounds her is magical. Until everything turned against her and slowly comes more evil. She transitioned from a lovely girl into an evil witch and manipulates things around her. A girl can be beautiful but when she becomes to vain, her soul becomes ugly and devastating." - Maark Abenir

All photos provided by YYC Fashion Week photographers PhotoArt4U & AYuen Photos

If you have the chance, I suggest you get a seat at his next showing, WCFW on April 2nd to see the video he had created to open and run with his show. It absolutely grabs you and inspires you.

A Fashion Preview by YYC Fashion Group

Are you familiar with Averynthe? Well let's kick this post off with a little teaser just in case you haven't...

Averynthe Teaser from YYC Fashion Week on Vimeo.

Get your tickets for this Saturday's YYC Fashion Week Preview at Hotel Arts (119-12 Avenue SW) for your close up view of the incredible collection by Maark Abeenir. So young but so talented. I have watched him grow as a designer from high school to rocking the runways this year. Absolutely love what he brings to the stage every time! Be one of the ones who can say, I saw Averynthe in the early years. Because this is a designer to watch!

YYCFW doesn't stop at this one designer either, they have a few tricks up their sleeves, and you need to be there to witness the growth of our fashion industry with your own eyes.

After the show, Calgary's newest Exclusive Ultra Lounge, Standard, has all YYC Fashion Week Preview Attendees Names on their VIP list. So make a night of it, enjoy a night out in Calgary like you were at Fashion Week in NYC.

 Tickets available at: http://yycfashionweek.com/

High Tea & Some Wine

It's that time of year again and the fashion events are starting to happen! Very exciting! This March 4th to April 5th the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra (CPO) is hosting their annual Cork & Canvas string of events. The line of events they have were certainly worth a blog post... so let's break them down shall we:

March 4th - Vintage Wine Tasting
March 14th - Craft Beer Night
March 18th - La Chaumiere Luncheon
March 22nd - High Tea in Style
March 28th - The Art of Whisky
April 5th - Winemaker's Dinner & Auction

Okay now I know most of those are all related to some wine, beer, and whisky tastings. But who wouldn't attend such an event dressed up and making a night of it. Willow Park Wines & Spirits is no stranger to hosting a good event. So put on your best dressed and mentally whisk yourself away like you were in Tuscany enjoying the most delicious wines, and other spirits.

Photo Credit from The Fairmont Palliser Calgary

Now the High Tea in Style, this fashionably speaks for itself. Were you able to attend last years? Hosted at the Fairmont Palliser, a hotel with such heritage grace and style it truly sets the stage for a very stylish high tea. So put on your best hat or facinator, and don't hold back on your dress either. This elegant afternoon affair is where you should totally show off what 'High Tea In Style' truly means to you while enjoying the company of all your friends you attend with, and new ones you meet there.

This stylish event will be showcasing fashions by Ooh La La 

For tickets to all or one of these events go to: http://www.cpo-live.com/main/event_detail.php?event_id=693